A pilot study of minimal invasion combined PDL/Nd:YAG laser in treating facial epidermoid cyst.

Abstract

To compare the efficacy and complication of minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser and traditional surgical excision in the treatment of facial epidermoid cyst. A total of 100 patients with facial epidermoid cyst aged from 16 to 65years and cyst diameter ranged from 0.3 to 3.0cm were treated and followed up. Patients were divided into the minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser treatment group and traditional surgical excision group. All patients were followed up for 12months including scar size, recurrence rate, incidence of complications, and patient global satisfaction. The mean operative time in the minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser treatment was 15.23±7.02minutes, which is significantly shorter than that of surgical excision (27.26±10.12minutes, P<.05). After 12months, the average scar size in minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser group was 0.54±0.35cm, while that of traditional surgical excision group was 1.77±0.81cm (P<.05). No statistical difference was found between two groups in the wounds split, hematoma, early and late recurrence rates (P>.05), while the patients' global satisfaction in the pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser group is much higher than that of the traditional surgical excision group. The treatment of minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe for medium-size facial epidermoid cysts. For facial epidermoid cyst ranging for 0.3cm to 3.0cm, considering the cosmetic factors, minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser should be particularly recommended.